How to Choose Wisely and Spot Red Flags

Imagine discovering unsightly patches of mold growing on your wall or ceiling. Unfortunately, with 70% of homes estimated to contain some sort of mold issue, this is much more common than most homeowners realize.

What would you do?  Where would you turn for help?  Since many states don’t require Licensing for Mold Remediation Companies, there are unfortunately a lot of unqualified, or downright shady, mold “removal” companies out there.  Here are some tips for identifying a qualified Mold Remediation Company that has the experience to address your mold issue for you!

They Market Mold Remediation as a Service they Regularly Provide

It can be confusing wading through a seemingly endless sea of contractors and companies, not knowing which one to choose. In fact, it’s common to see contractors, home remodelers, roofers, cleaning companies, plumbers, carpet cleaners, and even handymen offer to address mold issues even though Mold Remediation Services are not listed on any of their marketing materials and they lack the qualifications, training, and equipment to address mold issues effectively.

In stark contrast, qualified Mold Remediation Companies like Disaster Blaster will proudly list “Mold Remediation” in their marketing—front and center.

Why this is Important:

This has become a common scam in many states where unqualified contractors that just see the chance to make a quick buck don’t care if the work they perform is effective or provides any value to their customers.

Red Flags:

• Mold Remediation is not listed as a service they provide or is referred to by less professional terms such as “mold removal” or “mold cleanup”.
• The company focuses primarily on unrelated services such as roofing or remodeling and seems to treat mold as an afterthought.
• They’re vague about what mold remediation actually entails and offer little in the way of education or process transparency.

They Recognize Conflicts and Don’t Perform Mold Testing

You may notice that some companies may offer both mold testing and remediation services, and while this may sound convenient, it is a serious conflict of interest. Reputable industry guidelines recommend that testing and remediation should remain separate in order to avoid conflicts of interest, and qualified Mold Remediation Companies will recognize and respect this. A company that has a bias in the results of mold testing might exaggerate the problem or recommend unnecessary work.

Why this is Important:

Mold Testing and Mold Remediation work best as separate industries able to provide valuable checks and balances throughout the process.  Both your Mold Tester and Mold Remediation Company, for instance, should review the results of mold testing and reach a consensus on the extent of mold contamination in a property, allowing homeowners to get expert opinions from both sides.  Mold Remediation Companies that don’t recognize, or care about, this conflict of interest either lack experience or intend to take advantage of their control over both aspects of the process.

Red Flags:

• The same business offers testing and remediation, which is a recognized conflict of interest.
• They require you to hire them to perform testing as part of their inspection of the property. A qualified Mold Remediation Company may recommend testing or provide guidance to assist with where testing should be performed, but will not require you to use a particular tester or require you to allow them to perform testing in order to look at your mold issue.
• The company is unwilling to work with third-party testers or discourages independent verification.

They Develop a Clear Plan and Provide you with a Detailed Estimate

Mold Remediation is a highly specialized service that requires advanced planning to ensure that the work is performed effectively and safely. Over the years we’ve seen a lot of estimates from unqualified contractors and what is, and is not, in the estimate can be a real red flag for homeowners looking for a Mold Remediation company.

Why this is Important:

Qualified Mold Remediation Companies will provide a detailed estimate that outlines the work they’ll be performing, how they intend to contain the work area to prevent cross-contamination of mold spores, and how they arrived at their estimate cost.  Some may simply send a generic quote with a single price and vague promises. Qualified Mold Remediation Companies, however, will take the time to assess your home, examine the affected areas, and then provide a written remediation plan with a detailed estimate.

Red Flags:

• The estimate or quote you receive doesn’t contain a breakdown of the work they will be performing or how they determined the cost of the project.
• The estimate includes broad and unexplained line items like “Remove Mold” or “Mold Cleaning”, or tasks that they claim are “included” even though those tasks are not listed in the estimate.
• The estimate total or line item totals are suspiciously round numbers.
• The company is vague about timelines, materials, or the scope of work.
• They make promises that seem too good to be true or plan to use of miracle products or procedures that allow them to perform the work cheaply, faster, or avoid standard tasks that other Mold Remediation companies are intending to perform.
• They provide you with a quote “over the phone” without inspecting your property or developing a Remediation Plan, or they insist everything be handled informally.

They’re Happy to Answer Questions and Share Knowledge

As you speak with Mold Remediation professionals, don’t hesitate to ask questions. A qualified Mold Remediation Company will understand that mold issues can be confusing and overwhelming for property owners and will be happy to answer questions about mold risks, explain the science behind remediation, and even offer preventative tips so the mold issue won’t come back in the future.

Why this is Important:

Mold Remediation professionals that are knowledgeable in the mold remediation process should be able to answer your questions and eager to help you understand what you can expect from the process.  Contractors that avoid answering questions or offer vague statements, promises, or guarantees, very likely don’t understand the process themselves and that’s why they can’t answer those questions.

Red Flags:

• They are unwilling, or unable, to answer questions or review the project with you.
• They provide vague or inconsistent answers or make promises or guarantees that sound too good to be true.
• The company shows little interest in educating you, pushing for a quick sale instead.

Discovering a mold issue can be an overwhelming experience for any homeowner, but by avoiding some red flags, you can find a qualified Mold Remediation Company that is able to effectively address your mold issue for you.

If you discover a mold issue in your home, please don’t hesitate to Contact Your Local Disaster Blaster.  Not only are they uniquely qualified to address mold issues, but they’re always happy to help!

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